WORD ALIVE
In this Sunday gospel, Jesus Christ teaches about generosity or unselfishness. He says, “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink, you can be sure that you will be rewarded.”
In the second reading, St. James, the apostle, said that the blessings we receive in this life are not meant for our selfish enjoyment but to enable us to do good to those in need.
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Once there was a rich matron who died and went to heaven. St. Peter escorted her down a magnificent boulevard on which rows of mansions stood. The rich lady saw one house that was exceptionally beautiful and asked who lived there.
“You will be surprised,” said St. Peter. “That is the home of your katulong (helper).” “Well,” the lady said smiling, “if my helper gets a place like that, I certainly look forward to having a more grandiose mansion.”
Soon they came to an iskinita (alley) where the houses were cramped. St. Peter stopped and said, “Lady, you will live in that hut.”
“Me, live in that hovel! This is an insult. On earth I was rich and famous!” “I understand, but this is the best we can do for you,” explained St. Peter.
“We only build your home up here with the materials you send ahead while you’re still on earth.”
The materials we are supposed to send ahead are not cement, sand, and gravel but rather our acts of piety and good works.
Remember Christ’s words? “Lay up treasures in heaven where neither moths and rust can destroy, and robbers can break in and steal.” (Matthew 16,20).
Jesus also said: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his own soul?" (Mt 16, 24).
Jesus wants us to respond to our instinct for security. He wants us to use it here and now – but he also wants us to use the security for eternal life by becoming "rich in the sight of God."
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Let’s remember, too, that if we have been gifted by wealth and talent, do not think they are our own alone. A certain Mr. Salvador Monroy, who donated some funds for our Adopt a Seminarian scholarship, said, “I give because money did not come from me alone but from God. My life is limited. I will pass away soon. I am sharing the wealth I have received from God.”
The writer John Dunne expressed it thus: “I shall pass this way but once; any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show, let me do it now. Let me not neglect nor defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
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Send ahead your treasures. One way of doing this is by helping our seminarians and sick indigents we are helping like leukemia patient Alison Genesis L. and, and others.
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Thoughts to Ponder. Don’t be afraid to grow old. Old folks are worth a fortune. They have silver in the hair, gold in the teeth, stones in the kidneys, and gas in the stomach.
A man once quipped: "People say, ‘Money is the root of all evils,’ but they can plant it in my garden anytime."
A small boy asked a friend why his 80-year old lola (grandma) was always reading the Bible.
He replied: Because she’s cramming for her Final Exam!
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